theartsdesk Radio Show: Bowie Tribute

theartsdesk Radio Show: Bowie Tribute

theartsdesk's radio tribute to the man who fell to earth

That purveyor of everything from crazy cosmic jive and plastic soul to epic disco and elegant Berlin ambient gloom made a hell of an exit last week. His last release, his “parting gift” Blackstar, was a dazzling curtain bow unlike any other. He was a brilliant magpie, smuggling all kinds of ideas from Kabuki and Nietzsche to avant-jazz and cut-ups into impeccable, usually subversive, pop. Whether you saw him as a “major liberator” (Jon Savage) or were put off by the “smorgasbord of lachrymosity" (Julie Burchill), in the past week it became clear how many different types of people's lives he affected, how many he inspired. Many normally erring on the side of cynicism were surprised by the depth of feelings induced by his passing. Including your theartsdesk DJs Joe Muggs and Peter Culshaw, whose tribute show you can hear by clicking here or on the below link.

Our show runs from the beautiful Brazilian version of “Life on Mars” by Seu Jorge, via grunge to classical and electronic musicians who were all moved to do their own take on Bowie. We have a kids' choir singing “Space Oddity” and Bowie himself singing an early blues belter when he was 18 years old (thanks to Joe Cushley for that). Our special guest artist in the studio is Roxanne de Bastion, who performs a touching, almost country, version of “Rebel Rebel” and her own Berlin song.

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